By Sydney Williams
The Biden-Harris administration has been hard at work, taking swift action to restore hope and heal America. Here’s a round-up of the latest initiatives by the White House and how it impacts our communities.
On Inauguration Day, President Biden took his first presidential action, proclaiming the day to be a National Day of Unity. With this, Biden invited all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, to come together in writing history in the next stage of our democracy, calling for a decent and dignified legacy centered around love, healing, and goodness. This National Day of Unity set the stage for this presidential term, creating space for the American Rescue Plan.
The Biden-Harris administration’s first day in office was packed tight with upward changes, including the announcement of the American Rescue Plan. Consisting of three main objectives, the plan is set to alter the course of the pandemic, rebuild the economy, and make true investments in racial justice. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his full support for the bold agenda on Jan 19th, as he referred to the American Rescue Plan as a welcomed roadmap for how the federal government can reinvest in helping individuals, families, and communities in perilous times.
By initiating a national vaccination program and effectively containing COVID-19, we move towards safely reopening schools. By delivering immediate relief and supporting families struggling to stay afloat in the wake of COVID-19, we have the opportunity to make an institutional and structural change towards racial and social justice for all.
Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the job crisis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 10 million Americans are out of work. With 1 in 3 households -- and half of Black and Latino households -- struggling to cover regular expenses like rent and groceries, something had to be done to mitigate the economic strain brought on by high unemployment rates. In December 2020, 1 in 10 Black workers and 1 in 11 Latino workers were unemployed. The American Rescue Plan, if passed by Congress, will give a $1,400 check to each working family member to help them to pay their bills. Even with individuals who are still employed, many have faced reduced hours to work.
The Biden-Harris administration is the first in history to have a multi-racial woman elected as Vice President and wielding real power and influence over the America agenda. It comes as no surprise that their recent cabinet appointments have emerged to become the most diverse cabinet in U.S. history. With this strategic placement, people of color will have the platform to represent diverse communities and focus on urgent needs like never before. Increased federal aid, dismantling systematic inequality, and finally reflecting a real diversity of political perspectives, which is something that former President George Washington had cited as a goal when establishing the cabinet in 1791, are within reach now in this new political era.
Our nation is plagued with persisting systemic racial inequality, and it is now being addressed with priority by the White House. Similarly, climate change has moved up for action. Another major move on Inauguration Day 2021 was rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement. Under Biden-Harris, the United States reclaimed its position as a leader in addressing climate change and fighting for a healthier future for the planet. With just three weeks of Biden-Harris in office, climate awareness and racial equality will rest in the shadows no longer.
If you want to get involved with White House initiatives and track President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ work on setting a new agenda for America, click here. You can also sign up to stay connected and receive update emails from the White House by entering your email at the bottom of that page.
